How to Be a Truly Professional Commercial Truck Driver

Truckers have long been on the receiving end of a great many hurtful stereotypes, which causes people to have a lack of respect for them. This is a real shame, because the negative image of truckers not only harms the very respectable and necessary profession of truck driving, but it also can cause people to not seek out jobs in the industry and to downplay the importance of truckers in our everyday lives. Here are some ways to buck the stereotypes and demonstrate your professionalism as a commercial trucker.

1. Dress the Part

Anyone who shows up to work at any job in dirty, mismatched clothing is less likely to be taken seriously. The stereotype around truckers is often that they are not well-dressed, but you can change this!

Cultivate a wardrobe of comfortable jeans or cargo pants and button-down shirts or pullovers that fit you well and replace them when they become worn-out. If you like to wear a hat, make sure that it gets cleaned regularly and replaced when it’s tattered. Your boots should be in good condition and properly laced up, and your work gloves should be replaced any time they develop holes (this is for your own safety as well as for appearances).

2. Maintain Your Hygiene

Taking care of your personal hygiene will not only make you feel better and keep you well, but it will also have a positive impact on how clients, coworkers, and fleet managers see you. If you have a beard, keep it trimmed and tidy, and if you have long hair, make sure it’s washed and put up out of the way in a ponytail while you’re working.

Take advantage of those shower credits to get cleaned up, especially if you’ve been carrying a really dirty load, and keep a bag of toiletries with you in your cab, including deodorant, shampoo, razors, toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss, mints, hand sanitizer, body wipes, and nail clippers.

3. Don’t Use Foul or Rude Language

Swearing excessively is a no-no at most jobs, and using crude or crass language is liable to give people the wrong impression of you. Try to use more delicate and polite language when engaging with managers and clients, and always say “please” and “thank you.” Being polite goes a long way towards ensuring that others treat you with respect, because your politeness and kind language demonstrates respect towards them.

4. Stay Organized

A messy cab full of fast-food wrappers and crumpled paperwork is not going to make a great impression when you pull up to deliver a load or receive cargo. Keep your cab tidy with over-the-seat organizers, a small trash bin, bleach wipes, and file folders.

5. Drive With Care

You’ve undoubtedly seen truckers in movies who have hit the bottle too hard and may speed or careen around on the roads while intoxicated. This is a horrible stereotype that is extremely unfair to drivers, and it’s not one you want to lend any credence to. Always enter your cab fully sober and alert, ready to follow the rules of the road. Avoid speeding or sudden maneuvers, and use your lights and signals appropriately.

When you’re ready to check out new and used commercial trucks for sale, visit our dealership in Sanford, FL. DeBary Truck Sales serves our customers in Jacksonville and Miami, FL, and Atlanta, GA.